gavitt



. (No Model.)

G. F. GAVITT.

METHOD OF PROTEGTIN'G ROOFS 0F BUILDINGS. I Elm 359,318; Patented Mar. 15, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. GAVITT, OF BERLIN, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CARLO R. TAYLOR AND JOSIAH T. WHITCOMB,

BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

METHOD OF PROTECTING ROOFS OF BUILDINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359.318, dated March 15, 1887. Application filed December 21, 1886. Serial No. 222,215. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. GAVITT, of Berlin,in the county of Green Lake and State of Wisconsin, have inventeda new and useful Method and Improvement in Protecting Roofs of Buildings; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of my invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make use of it, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing,which forms a part of this specification, and in which the invention is shown in perspective.

My invention relates to an improved method I 5 of protecting roofs of buildings from the damaging eifects of the accumulation of snow and ice in the winter. Without a protector the snow falling on the roof of a building thaws and the moisture settles to the bottom of. the

mass, where it is held as by a sponge, and

when it freezes forms a dam at or near the eaves, which at subsequent thaws floods the roof,to the great damage of the roof and building. The ice thus forming on metallic roofs breaks the looks or joints, causing leakage. The same effects are caused on composition or cement roofs. By the use of the protectingroof this is entirely obviated. It being raised above and supported from the roof, leaves an air-chamber between the two. The snow falling on the protecting-roof does not come in contact with the metallic or other roof, as the supplemental or protecting roof sustains it. What little sifts through melts and passes 3 5 off at once, theroof of the building always being at a higher temperature than the outside roof. The process of thawing being constantly going on from the bottom side of the mass of for covering.

snow on the protecting-roof passes through to the roof of the building and passes off without damage, the bank of snow above forming a blanket-like protection to the air-chamber below, which,with the heat of the building, keeps the roof free from ice. It also protects roofs from disastrous hail storms and the shoveling and walking which are necessary when it is not used.

The method of constructing my protector is as follows: Place longitudinally with the roof A from the eaves to the highest part joists or other supports B near enough together to support the body of snow. Across these place common boards or planks O, leaving small spaces between to allow the water to pass freely to the roof. The dimensions oftimber or kind of material used may be varied to accommodate the tastes of parties using my invention. The common material used is joists two by six inches for supports and common inch lumber Having described my invention, I claim- 1. Asupplementalor protecting roof placed upon and supported by the permanent roof, leaving an air-chamber between them, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the permanent roof, of the joists or like supports and covering-boards arranged as described, whereby an air-chamber is formed between said covering and the roof, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. GAVITT.

In presence o f- MERRITT D. COBB, ARTHUR H. COOK. 

